Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Croatian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ustani, molim te, jer žurimo.
What form is Ustani, and who is being addressed?
Ustani is the 2nd person singular imperative of ustati (to get up/stand up). It addresses one person informally (a friend, child, someone you’re on a first-name basis with).
How do I say this to more than one person or politely to a stranger?
Use the plural/formal imperative and pronoun: Ustanite, molim vas, jer žurimo. This works both for addressing several people and for polite/formal singular.
What’s the difference between ustani and ustaj?
Both can translate as “get up,” but:
- Ustani (from perfective ustati) is for a single, complete action: stand up now.
- Ustaj (from imperfective ustajati) can sound like “(start) getting up” or a repeated/habitual command (e.g., every morning). For a one-off “Stand up,” Ustani is more common.
Can I use digni se/diži se instead of ustani?
Yes. Digni se (pf) and Diži se (impf) are common colloquial alternatives meaning “get up/stand up (from sitting/lying).” Ustani is slightly more neutral/standard; digni se can feel more informal.
Is molim te necessary? What does it add?
It’s not required. Ustani, jer žurimo is grammatical but more direct. Molim te softens the imperative, much like “please.” For polite/formal, use molim vas.
Can I move molim te to a different place in the sentence?
Yes. Common options:
- Molim te, ustani, jer žurimo.
- Ustani, molim te, jer žurimo.
- Ustani, jer žurimo, molim te. (less usual but possible) Avoid starting with Te molim—the clitic te cannot begin a clause.
Why are there commas around molim te, and why is there a comma before jer?
Molim te is a parenthetical politeness phrase, so it’s set off by commas. Jer (“because”) introduces a subordinate clause and normally takes a comma before it in standard Croatian: ..., jer ...
Can I drop jer and just say the reason?
In speech, yes: Ustani, molim te, žurimo. It’s a looser, more elliptical style. In careful writing, jer keeps the causal relationship explicit.
What exactly does žurimo mean here?
It’s the present tense, 1st person plural of žuriti. In this context it idiomatically means “we’re in a hurry,” not literally “we hurry.” Related:
- Moramo požuriti = “We have to hurry (up).”
- Požurimo! = “Let’s hurry!”
Do I need to say mi?
No. Croatian drops subject pronouns when the verb ending makes the subject clear. Žurimo already means “we are in a hurry.” Mi žurimo is possible for emphasis.
How do I pronounce the tricky sounds?
- Ž in žurimo is like English “zh” (as in “measure”).
- J in jer is like English “y” in “yes,” so jer sounds roughly like “yer.”
- R is tapped/trilled.
- Vowels are pure: u = “oo,” a = “ah,” i = “ee.”
Is this sentence rude?
No. With molim te, it’s polite-informal. Without it (Ustani, jer žurimo.), it’s more direct and could sound brusque depending on tone and context.
Does Ustani change for gender?
No. Imperatives don’t change for gender. Ustani is the same whether you’re addressing a man or a woman; number/politeness changes it to Ustanite.
I often mix up ustani and stani. What’s the difference?
- Ustani = “Stand up/Get up.”
- Stani = “Stop.” They’re very different commands despite looking similar.
How would I say “Please don’t get up”?
Use the negative imperative with nemoj: Nemoj ustajati, molim te. (singular informal) / Nemojte ustajati, molim vas. (plural/formal).